Would You Have the Guts to do This During an HVAC Repair? 

I would be afraid to risk this on a unit still under warranty, but I have also wondered why they don't make single use recovery tanks for the sole purpose of holding the refrigerant for a repair of one unit.

I have done it, depending on the evaps condition , it can blow them

HI ZACK! I do it often----we work on rentals and they are not always the best----so when replaCing Compressors, or anything in the Condenser----we do it whenever it benefits us. Thanks for a great vid as always.

The best advice is to recover,evacuate and weigh in new charge back into the system and save yourself calls back.

I’ve never tried it. I didn’t know that was a thing. I usually just recover it

I always recover the refrigerator maybe I would try this

Been doing this since my start. Didn't know others didn't. Never had a coil blow. Always some leftover though since evap coil is smaller.

I have often thought this would work but never thought to use this method Might be something to think about in the future. Thanks !

We've done it with VRF systems, basically you're pumping them down but in heating mode. Did it to enable compressor changing on a multi compressor condensing unit. Have also kind of done it on refrigeration systems but using a recovery machine to pull refrigerant out of the condenser and dump it in the suction line, once the repair is done and condenser vacuumed you just open all the valves up. Saves dealing with recovery tanks etc.

I’ve often wondered if that would work with out damage. I’ve always heard you can’t but honestly i can’t see why not . I might hookup some of my old equipment and do an experiment one of these days .

I have never isolated refrigerant into the evaporator and line set. With the new refrigerant I think you would want to just remove it anyway. Less risk something catches fire or explodes. GO Yellow.

Never did it that way but I think I’ll try it.

Hey Zack. I’ve often wondered why couldn’t we do this?? Good to know for the future. Question though, how would one evacuate the outdoor coil and compressor? Maybe through the true suction port on a heat pump? What about straight cool units??

I’ve done this on large equipment and residential many times. Only 1 old res evap leaked.

I've done this many times, never had an issue.

I’ve never done it, and never had heard of this process… interesting and a great idea. Like you said it surely is thinking outside the box. I just might try it out. Thanks for all you do!

This is how we change condenser txv's, outdoor coils and compressors, put the unit into heat mode, make sure indoor fan is running and lock the liquid line down. Everything pumps down into the evap coil. Never done it any other way. Never had a problem either.

Just use your recovery unit, instead of pumping into a jug, pump it into the lines with valves shut off.. Easy peezy!

Would not work because most of refrigerant is in condenser in idle off state and with suction service port shut off the compressor will quickly go to vacuum pumping little additional refrigerant to condenser. High SEER units with large condensers like Trane use compressor discharge check valve and shut down EEV to trap liquid refrigerant in condenser during idle off state to avoid liquid flood back to compressor input during idle off period.

I’ve done it several times. You have gauges. Monitor the pressure to make sure it doesn’t go over 450 for 22 and 650 for 410.

I have thought about this over the years I have never tried it.would like to see it done.

You can isolate a heat pump condenser at the service isolation valves. Recovery Machine Pump the gas out of the outdoor via the true suction port and pump it into the lineset and indoor coil.

I’ve thought about doing this but never dared to try.

Thought about it, never done it. I work commercial and we quote the labor & materials to avoid shortcuts. Maybe in a late on call scenario…I’d hate to incidentally create more work for myself though.

Ive done it.

May just blow apart! Lol interesting 🤔

Why not just recover the whole thing into an evacuated recovery cylinder and dump er back in when your done? The recovery rag, bucket, and bag are also an option I’m told

i recover it all

This sounds like a double dog dare..I’m in!

I prefer N2 pressurization to identify lineset and evaporator leaks.

I KNOW A GOOD BARBER

I think if i did that, id stand back when doing it.. let the greenthumb work the valves, make em feel important for a bit. With gloves, face shield and sleeves…. Tell em its just in case they hit the wrong lever so if it goes boom, new guy did it…. Lol

Can’t say I tried it I would be afraid to blow the evaporator and have to replace it at my expense.

Winning is everything 😊

I always recover the refrigerator maybe I would try this

I always recover the refrigerator maybe I would try this